This study develops a conceptual model to examine the relationships among power distance orientation, supervisory incivility, learned helplessness, and work engagement, with psychological distress as a moderator. Using data from 200 dyads of hotel frontline employees and their associate supervisors in China, findings reveal that power distance orientation positively relates to perceived supervisory incivility, which is in turn positively associated with learned helplessness. Consequently, learned helplessness was negatively related to work engagement. Psychological distress moderates the relationship between learned helplessness and work engagement, as well as the fully sequential and indirect relationship between power distance orientation and work engagement through perceived supervisory incivility and learned helplessness. Our study offers new insights into the literature on workplace incivility and provides theoretical and managerial implications.
